Veterans and Homelessness (open access)

Veterans and Homelessness

This report discusses several issues relating to homelessness among veterans, which has become more prominent since the beginning of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Date: November 4, 2010
Creator: Perl, Libby
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress (open access)

Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress

This report will examine logistical support contracts for troop support services (also known as service contracts) in Iraq and Afghanistan, primarily administered through a smaller program, the United States Air Force Contract Augmentation Program (AFCAP) and a larger program, the United States Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP). This report will focus primarily on contracts involving Department of Defense (DOD) appropriated funds, although some projects involve a blending of funds from other agencies.
Date: September 20, 2010
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks (open access)

Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

Iraq's political system, the result of a U.S.-supported election process, is increasingly characterized by peaceful competition rather than violence, but sectarianism and ethnic and factional infighting continue to simmer. This report discusses the current state of Iraq, concentrating primarily on the actions of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, efforts underway to combat sectarian violence, and the projected U.S. troop withdrawal by August 2010.
Date: November 16, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks (open access)

Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

Iraq's political system, the result of a U.S.-supported election process, has been increasingly characterized by peaceful competition, as well as by attempts to form cross-sectarian alliances. However, ethnic and factional infighting continues, sometimes involving the questionable use of key levers of power and legal institutions. This report discusses the current political climate of Iraq and also explores speculations as to what will happen after U.S. troops completely withdraw from the region at the end of 2011.
Date: October 4, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Islam: Sunnis and Shiites (open access)

Islam: Sunnis and Shiites

The majority of the world's Muslim population follows the Sunni branch of Islam, and approximately 10%-15% of all Muslims follow the Shiite (Shi'ite, Shi'a, Shia) branch. Shiite populations constitute a majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. Sunnis and Shiites share most basic religious tenets. However, their differences sometimes have been the basis for religious intolerance, political infighting, and sectarian violence. This report includes a historical background of the Sunni-Shiite split and discusses the differences in religious beliefs and practices between and within each Islamic sect as well as their similarities. The report also relates Sunni and Shiite religious beliefs to discussions of terrorism and sectarian violence that may be of interest to Congress.
Date: November 9, 2010
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq (open access)

The Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq

The Kurdish-inhabited region of northern Iraq is relatively peaceful and prospering economically, but the Iraqi Kurds' political autonomy and political strength in post- Saddam Iraq is causing friction with Arab leaders in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. However, an overall reduction in violence in Iraq, coupled with continued U.S. political influence over the Kurds, is likely to prevent a destabilizing escalation of the Iraqi Kurd-Arab disputes. Also see CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security, by Kenneth Katzman.
Date: October 1, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress

The Navy for several years has carried out a variety of irregular warfare (IW) and counterterrorism (CT) activities, and has taken some steps in recent years to strengthen its ability to conduct such activities. Among the most readily visible of the Navy's current IW operations are those being carried out by Navy sailors serving ashore in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Navy's IW and CT activities pose a number of potential oversight issues for Congress, including the definition of Navy IW activities, specific Navy IW budget priorities, and how much emphasis to place on IW and CT activities in future Navy budgets.
Date: September 28, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Military Casualty Statistics: Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (open access)

U.S. Military Casualty Statistics: Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom

This report presents difficult-to-find statistics regarding U.S. military casualties in Operation New Dawn (OND), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF, Afghanistan), including those concerning post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputations, evacuations, and the demographics of casualties. Some of these statistics are publicly available at the Department of Defense's (DOD's) website, while others have been obtained through contact with experts at DOD. Daily updates of total U.S. military casualties in OND, OIF, and OEF can be found at the DOD's website, at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/casualty.pdf.
Date: September 28, 2010
Creator: Fischer, Hannah
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses (open access)

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

Much of the debate over U.S. policy toward Iran has centered on the nature of the current regime; some believe that Iran, a country of about 70 million people, is a threat to U.S. interests because hardliners in Iran's regime dominate and set a policy direction intended to challenge U.S. influence and allies in the region. President George W. Bush, in his January 29, 2002, State of the Union message, labeled Iran part of an "axis of evil" along with Iraq and North Korea.
Date: September 22, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Intelligence Issues for Congress (open access)

Intelligence Issues for Congress

To address the challenges facing the U.S. intelligence community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. This report discusses these challenges and efforts the current and previous Administrations and Congresses have taken and are taking to address them. The report includes criticism of the intelligence community's efforts regarding Iraq, Iran, and other areas. Improved analysis remains a key goal in these discussions.
Date: October 14, 2010
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq Casualties: U.S. Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police, and Security Forces (open access)

Iraq Casualties: U.S. Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police, and Security Forces

This report presents U.S. military casualties as well as governmental and nongovernmental estimates of Iraqi civilian, police, and security forces casualties.
Date: October 7, 2010
Creator: Fischer, Hannah
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks (open access)

Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

This report discusses Iraq's political system, which has been restructured through a U.S.-supported election process. The Iraqi government is increasingly characterized by peaceful competition rather than violence, but sectarianism and ethnic and factional infighting still remain. This report discusses issues relating to opponents of the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and also discusses the atmosphere of nationwide provincial elections. The report also addresses the Obama Administration's plan to reduce the U.S. troop presence in Iraq by August 2010 and briefly addresses the Iranian influence in Iraq.
Date: July 1, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks (open access)

Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

This report provides an overview of Iraq's political transition from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein to a plural polity that encompasses varying sects and ideological and political factions. This report also addresses ongoing governmental instabilities and their causes, as well as U.S. concerns about possible Iranian influence in Iraq as U.S. forces depart the country.
Date: April 28, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq Casualties: U.S. Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police, and Security Forces (open access)

Iraq Casualties: U.S. Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police, and Security Forces

This report presents U.S. military casualties as well as governmental and nongovernmental estimates of Iraqi civilian, police, and security forces casualties.
Date: June 11, 2010
Creator: Fischer, Hannah
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks (open access)

Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

This report provides an overview of Iraq's political transition from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein to a plural polity that encompasses varying sects and ideological and political factions. This report also addresses ongoing governmental instabilities and their causes, as well as U.S. concerns about possible Iranian influence in Iraq as U.S. forces depart the country.
Date: March 3, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Islam: Sunnis and Shiites (open access)

Islam: Sunnis and Shiites

This report includes a historical background of the Sunni-Shiite split and discusses the differences in religious beliefs and practices between and within each Islamic sect as well as their similarities. The report also relates Sunni and Shiite religious beliefs to discussions of terrorism and sectarian violence that may be of interest during the 111th Congress.
Date: March 3, 2010
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress (open access)

Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress

This report examines logistical support contracts for troop support services (also known as service contracts) in Iraq and Afghanistan, primarily administered through a smaller program, the United States Air Force Contract Augmentation Program (AFCAP) and a larger program, the United States Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP). It focuses on contracts involving Department of Defense (DOD) appropriated funds, although some projects involve a blending of funds from other agencies.
Date: April 28, 2010
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran-Iraq Relations (open access)

Iran-Iraq Relations

This report provides background information on Iran's support to armed groups and Iranian political influence and specifically discusses the relationship between Iran and Iraq.
Date: April 15, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks (open access)

Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

This report provides an overview of Iraq's political transition from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein to a plural polity that encompasses varying sects and ideological and political factions. This report also addresses ongoing governmental instabilities and their causes, as well as U.S. concerns about possible Iranian influence in Iraq as U.S. forces depart the country.
Date: March 29, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress (open access)

Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress

This report examines logistical support contracts for troop support services in Iraq and Afghanistan administered through the U.S. Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP). LOGCAP is an initiative designed to manage the use of civilian contractors that perform services during times of war and other military mobilizations.
Date: March 4, 2010
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
System: The UNT Digital Library
War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance (open access)

War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance

This report gives a summary of the usage of the War Powers Resolution (WPR) and various issues related to proposals to modify or repeal the resolution. The report summarizes most recent developments and background, and gives an overview of United Nations actions, and WPR activities in former Yugoslavia/Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq (post-1991), Haiti, and Somalia. It also includes commentary on the instances formally reported under the WPR, consultation with Congress, and the current issues which Congress is considering.
Date: January 12, 2010
Creator: Grimmett, Richard F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress (open access)

Defense Logistical Support Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Issues for Congress

This report examines logistical support contracts for troop support services in Iraq and Afghanistan (for Afghanistan, beginning with LOGCAP IV) administered through the U.S. Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP). LOGCAP is an initiative designed to manage the use of civilian contractors that perform services during times of war and other military mobilizations.
Date: January 27, 2010
Creator: Bailey Grasso, Valerie
System: The UNT Digital Library
Executive Order 13438: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq (open access)

Executive Order 13438: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq

This report provides a brief history of the development of presidential powers in peacetime. It discusses some of the issues that might be raised in light of the contrast between the executive order's broad language and its narrow aim. It examines the reach of the executive order and provides legal analyses of some of the constitutional questions raised in the courts by similar sanctions programs.
Date: January 19, 2010
Creator: Murphy, M. Maureen
System: The UNT Digital Library
United States Military Casualty Statistics: Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (open access)

United States Military Casualty Statistics: Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom

This report presents statistics regarding U.S. military casualties in the active Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF, Afghanistan), as well as operations that have ended: Operation New Dawn (OND, Iraq) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF, Iraq). It includes statistics on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputations, evacuations, and the demographics of casualties. Some of these statistics are publicly available at the Department of Defense's (DOD's) website; others have been obtained through contact with experts at the DOD.
Date: May 4, 2010
Creator: Fischer, Hannah
System: The UNT Digital Library